WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has appointed Fox News host Laura Ingraham and Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo to the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This decision comes after Trump fired the center’s president in February and assumed the role of chairman of the organization.
The Kennedy Center is renowned for its Kennedy Center Honors performances and is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. Trump took to social media to announce the appointments of Ingraham and Bartiromo, stating that this completes their selection process.
Richard Grenell, a special U.S. envoy, has been appointed as the interim executive director of the center. Since assuming office, Trump has been restructuring the government, replacing numerous officials with individuals he deems more aligned with his administration’s goals.
During his first term, Trump declined to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors, opting out of the prestigious event. However, the center’s leaders have expressed openness to welcoming him in the future. Following Trump’s recent changes at the center, the musical “Hamilton” decided to cancel its run there.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
